(11/8/2010) Douglas Reeves, a Harvard University professor and founder of The Leadership and Learning Center, will be keynote presenter at the Indiana School Transformation Conference Nov. 11, hosted by Ball State.

The conference aims to bring together Indiana educators who are committed to improving teaching and learning.

"At no time in the history of Indiana and our nation has the need for education transformation and reform been more acute," said John Jacobson, dean of the Teachers College. "Ball State Teachers College is at the forefront of educational innovation and has served as a leader in educator preparation for decades, and we are pleased to bring many of Indiana's educational leaders together to learn from an international expert, such as Douglas Reeves, regarding how we can best structure Indiana's schools to bring about the desired changes."

Reeves, who has worked with education, business, nonprofit and government organizations throughout the world, will present an interactive three-hour session addressing the latest in successful research, design and implementation practices for transitioning underperforming and average-performing schools into high-achieving schools.

He is the author of more than 20 books and numerous articles on leadership and organizational effectiveness and has twice been named to the Harvard University Distinguished Authors Series. His monthly column on change leadership appears in Educational Leadership magazine.

Named a Brock International Laureate for his contributions to education, Reeves also has received the Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of Secondary School Principals.

Conference sessions will include presentations by education leaders from around the state who have accomplished successful school transformations. They will share data, strategies and actions that have resulted in improved school and student achievement.

The conference is sponsored by Ball State University Teachers College's Department of Educational Leadership and will run from 7:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. at the Alumni Center.

Ball State is one of the largest producers of teachers and education professionals in the Midwest. Building on a rich tradition of excellence, the Ball State Teachers College is a leader in teacher preparation and human service-provider training across the state and nation. The Teachers College prizes teaching excellence, emphasizes applied research that enhances best practices and improves the quality of life for others, and values service to communities and the education profession.